Training scripts

ABSTRACT

A training script device is described that conveniently allows a user to create a training script defining one or more steps of a workout routine, where each step may include an activity, a duration for performing that activity, and an intensity at which the activity is to be performed. Further, one or more steps of the training script can be self-starting in response to performance data detected by sensors of training script device executing the training script. This conveniently frees the athlete from having to continuously monitor the status of his or her workout activities. Still further, the training script device conveniently allows a user to transfer training scripts to other training script devices, so that athletes can share successful training scripts.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/386,210, filed on May 30, 2002, entitled “TrainingScripts” and naming Albert Shum as inventor, which provisional patentapplication is incorporated entirely herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a workout script for providing a userwith workout instructions based upon characteristics of the user duringthe workout, or upon characteristics of the workout itself. For example,a workout script may instruct a user to run until the user's heart ratereaches 80 beats per minute, and then subsequently instruct the user tostretch for a cooling-off period of ten minutes. Alternately, a scriptmay instruct a user to run for a predetermined distance or for apredetermined period of time, and then instruct the user to take anotheraction after the distance has been run or the period of time hasexpired. Still further, the invention relates to the creation and use ofsuch workout scripts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There has been a steadily growing interest in fitness, both forhealth reasons and for personal development. As the popularity ofvarious physical fitness activities has grown, people have become moreinterested in achieving specific goals through these activities. Forexample, some people take up exercise to lose weight, others toparticipate in a particular type of sport, such as soccer or marathonracing, and still others just to gradually improve their overallphysical condition. Correspondingly, a great deal of scientific researchhas been conducted as to how people may reach these specific goals. Forexample, some scientific research has indicated that the fastest way forsomeone to lose fat through exercise is to exercise such that theperson's heart rate is maintained within a specific range or “zone” ofbeats per minute.

[0004] This research should ideally allow people of all walks of life tomaximize the results obtained from their fitness activities. Inpractice, however, few people can take advantage of this research. Whilean athlete may create a schedule of fitness activities or trainingroutine designed to obtain specific results through one or more physicalactivities, he or she will probably have difficulty following thattraining routine while actually engaged in those physical activities.

[0005] For example, an optimized group of physical activities or“workout” may call for an athlete to run until his or her heart rate iswithin a desired heart rate zone (that is, a percentage range of his orher maximum heart rate), and then switch to another, less strenuousactivity, such as jogging or stretching, after ten minutes. Whilerunning, however, that athlete cannot easily determine when his or herheart rate reaches the targeted zone. Even if he or she employs a heartrate monitor to measure his or her heart rate, the athlete mustcontinuously watch the heart rate monitor to ascertain when his or herheart rate reaches the desired zone. The athlete must then initiate atimer to measure how long his or her heart rate remains within thedesired zone.

[0006] This module requires significant concentration that detracts fromthe workout itself. Thus, users will commonly not adhere to a trainingroutine, or, alternatively, will not prepare a detailed training routinethat maximizes the results of their workout. Accordingly, there is aneed for a method and apparatus that will allow a person to create atraining routine scheduling each part or step of a workout, determinewhen the requirements of a particular step have been fulfilled, and thenprompt the user to begin the subsequent step of the workout.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Advantageously, the invention allows a user to create a trainingscript for a workout. That is, the invention allows a user to create aset of instructions that defines a series of activities to be performedduring a workout, and a quantity associated with at least one of theactivities. When executed, the instructions prompt a device tosequentially display each activity until the athlete has performed thedefined quantity associated with that activity, and then to display thenext activity. The device may further allow a user to electronicallyshare created training scripts with others.

[0008] Still further, the invention may include a device that displays aphysical activity listed in an electronic training script to a user. Thedevice then detects at least one characteristic of the user's workoutassociated with a quantity defined in the training script for thatphysical activity. When the device detects that the workoutcharacteristic matches the defined quantity, the device then displaysthe next activity subsequently listed in the electronic training script.Thus, the invention provides a way for a user to design a precisetraining routine, and then to be timely prompted to follow the trainingroutine. Further, the invention allows a user to share a successfultraining routine with others. These and other features of the inventionwill become apparent based upon the following description of theinvention with reference to associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 shows a generic computing device that can be used forcreating a training script or for implementing a training scriptaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a device for creating atraining script and a device for implementing a training scriptaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

[0011]FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, 5A-5P, 7A-7C and 9 show various user interfacesaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart for creating a training script.

[0013]FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart for using an interface accordingto an embodiment of the invention to create a plan of one or moretraining scripts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Overview

[0015] The invention allows a user to create a training script for aworkout. A training script is a group of one or more training stepscorresponding to different portions of a workout. Each training stepincludes instructions to be executed by a computing device. Theseinstructions define an action, such as a physical activity to beperformed during a workout, and a quantity associated with that action.When executed by a computing device, the instructions command thecomputing device to display a prompt for the user to perform the action,until the device receives performance data indicating that the user hasperformed the quantity designated for the action. The device thenexecutes the next sequential training step. Using these instructions,the device will sequentially display a prompt for the user to performeach action in a workout, until the user performs the designatedquantity for each of the actions.

[0016] According to various embodiments of the invention, the quantityfor performing an action can be the duration of the action itself. Forexample, the duration may be the time period for which the action is tobe performed. Alternately, the duration may be a distance to betraversed by performing the action. A training step may thus call for anathlete to run for the duration of five miles. Still further, theduration may be the number of times that an action should be repeated,or an amount of work exerted while performing the action. A trainingstep could, for example, call for an athlete to repeat a weight-liftingexercise 20 times, or jog until the athlete has burned 600 calories.

[0017] A step may also specify a quantity for performing an action thatis based upon an intensity associated with that action. The intensity ofan action may be defined by any desired unit, such as the heart rateexperienced by the user while performing the action. The intensity mayalso be, for example, a pace at which the action is performed, or anamount of force created while performing the action. Still further, astep may include a quantity specifying both an intensity and a duration.Thus, a step may call for a biker to bike at a force of 200 dynes for 35minutes. Of course, still other units of measurement can be used todefine a quantity for performing an action, such as a user's bloodoxygen level or blood pressure level.

[0018] General Computing Device

[0019] Various embodiments of the invention may conveniently beimplemented on a general-purpose computing device, such as a desktoppersonal computer, a laptop computer, or a personal digital assistant(PDA), or on a special-purpose computing device, such as a digitalwristwatch. Referring now to FIG. 1, this figure illustrates anexemplary general-purpose computer device that can be used to implementvarious aspects of the invention. In FIG. 1, the computer device 101 hasa computer 103 that includes a processor 105, such as a programmablemicroprocessor, and a system memory 107 coupled to the processor 105.The system memory 107 may be implemented using any appropriate memorydevices, such as one or more microcircuit devices. The system memory 107will typically include both a read only memory (ROM) 109 and a randomaccess memory (RAM) 111. The ROM 109 and RAM 111 may be connected to theprocessor 105 using a conventional bus structure (not shown), such as amemory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus usingany of a variety of bus architectures.

[0020] The computer device 101 will also include one or more inputdevices 113. For example, if the computer device 101 is a conventionaldesktop computer or laptop computer, it may include a keyboard 113 a,and a pointing device 113 b, such as a mouse or touchpad. Further, thecomputer device 101 may include additional or alternate input devices113, such as a microphone, a pointing stick, or a digitizer foraccepting input through a stylus. If the computer device 101 is aspecial-purpose computing device, such as a digital wristwatch, it mayinstead only have input devices suited for its particular purpose.

[0021] For example, rather than a large keyboard 113 a or pointingdevice 113 b, if the computer device 101 is a wristwatch it may insteadinclude a button interface 113 c having a small number of depressablebuttons. It may also have one or more sensors 113 d for measuringcharacteristics of the device's environment. Thus, the sensors 113 d mayinclude a heart rate monitor for measuring the heart rate of a personusing the computer device 101, an accelerometer or pedometer formeasuring the travel of a person using the computer device 101, athermometer, an altimeter, a compass, a blood oxygen monitor formonitoring the blood oxygen content of a person using the computerdevice 101, or other measurement device. A sensor 113 d may be includedin the same casing as the computing device 103, or the sensor 113 d maybe remotely locating and transmit measured data to the computing device103 using a wired or wireless medium.

[0022] The computer device 101 will also include one or more outputdevices 115, such as a display screen 115 a, a printer 115 b, andspeakers 115 c. For example, if the computer device 101 is aconventional desktop computer, then the display screen 115 a may be alarge CRT or flat panel monitor. Alternately, if the computer device 101is a special-purpose computing device, it may only have the outputdevices 115 suited for its particular purpose. For example, if thecomputer device 101 is a digital wristwatch, display screen 115 a may bea small LCD display, and the computer device 101 may have only one smallspeaker 115 b and omit the printer 115 c altogether. Of course, thecomputer device 101 may also include additional or alternate outputdevices 115 as desired.

[0023] Depending upon its configuration, the computer device 101 mayalso include one or more peripheral data storage devices 117. Thecomputer device 101 may have, for example, a magnetic disk drive 117 afor reading from and writing to a magnetic disk (such as a hard diskdrive or a floppy disk drive), and an optical disk drive 117 b forreading from or writing to a removable optical disk (such as a CD ROM orother optical media). Of course, the computer device 101 may alsoinclude other types of data storage devices 117, such as magneticcassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, Bernoullicartridges. Also, if the computer device 101 is a digital wristwatch,then the computer device 101 may include a small peripheral data storagedevice 117, such as a Memory Stick or a Secure Digital card.

[0024] As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, thecomputer device 101 executes instructions stored in the system memory107. These instructions may be retrieved to the system memory 107 fromone or more of the peripheral storage devices. In addition, the computerdevice 101 may receive input data for executing the instructions from auser through the input devices 113. Similarly, the computer device 101may output the results of executing the instructions to the user throughthe output devices 115.

[0025] Some computer devices 101 can operate in a network of othercomputer devices 101. The network may be, for example, a local areanetwork (LAN) 119 or a wide area network (WAN) 121, such as theInternet. For connection to the local area network 119, the computerdevice 101 may include a network interface or adapter 123. Forconnection to the wide area network 121, the computer device may includea modem 125 or other means for establishing communications over the widearea network 121. Of course, it will be appreciated that the networkconnections shown are exemplary, and that other techniques forestablishing a communications link with other computer devices 101 canbe used. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat a variety of communication protocols may be used for exchangingdata between computer devices 101, such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP.

[0026] System for Creating and Executing a Training Script

[0027]FIG. 2 illustrates a master device 201 for creating a trainingscript, and a servant device 211 for implementing a training script.More particularly, a user employs the master device 201 to createinstructions making up a training script, and the servant device 211executes the instructions of the training script. As will be appreciatedby those of ordinary skill in the art, the master device 201 may be acomputer device 101 of the type described about, such as a desktop orlaptop computer, implementing a software application for definingtraining scripts. Of course, with various embodiments of the invention,the master device 201 may instead be a hardware or firmware device forcreating training scripts.

[0028] Once the user has created the training script, the script istransferred from the master device 201 to the servant device 211. Withsome embodiments of the invention, the servant device 211 may be aportable computer device 101 of the type described above that can beeasily carried by an athlete during a workout. For example, the servantdevice 211 may be embodied as a wristwatch with one or more remotesensors for measuring various characteristics of the user's workout. Ofcourse, the servant device 211 also may be implemented with other typesof portable computer devices, such as personal digital assistants.Alternately, the servant device 211 may be implemented using hardware orfirmware.

[0029] Device for Creating a Training Script

[0030] As seen in FIG. 2, the master device 201 includes a mastercontrol module 203, a master user interface module 205, a master deviceinterface module 207, and a master script database 209. As will bediscussed in detail below, for each step to be included in a trainingscript, the master user interface module 205 prompts a user to inputdata specifying an action to be performed for that step. The master userinterface module 205 also prompts the user to specify a quantity of theaction to be performed. From the input data received through the masteruser interface module 205, the master control module 203 createstraining steps for operating the servant device 211, and compiles thetraining steps into a training script file.

[0031] The master control module 203 then forwards the training scriptfile to the master script database 209 for storage. As will beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the master scriptdatabase 209 may be embodied using any suitable memory medium. Themaster script database 209, for example, may be implemented on amicrocircuit random access memory, a magnetic disk drive, a writableoptical disk drive or the like.

[0032] When the user desires to exercise using the created trainingscript, the user instructs the master control module 203 to transfer thetraining script file from the master script database 209 to the masterdevice interface module 207. The master device interface module 207 thenprovides the training script file to the servant device 211. As will beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the master deviceinterface module 207 can be implemented using a variety of techniques.For example, the master device interface module 207 may employ awireless communication device to communicate with the servant device211, such as an infrared or radio frequency transmitter. Alternately,the master device interface module 207 may include a cable port foremploying a hard-wired communication device to communicate with theservant device 211, such as an RS-232, USB or Firewire link.

[0033] With some embodiments of the invention, the master deviceinterface module 207 or other interface module may allow the masterdevice 201 to transmit training scripts files to and/or receive trainingscript files from a variety of other devices in addition to the servantdevice 211, such as other computing devices 101 including, for example,other master devices 201. Again, the master device interface module 207may employ any suitable communication protocol to transfer trainingscript files from the master device interface module 207 to these otherdevices. It should be noted that training script files, like otherelectronic files, can be transferred from the master device 201 to othercomputer devices 101 using any known file transfer technique. Forexample, the master device 201 may be embodied by a personal computerthat also supports electronic mailing protocols, such as the POP3protocol. With this arrangement, a user can transfer a training scriptfrom the master device 201 to another computer device 101 usingelectronic mail. Also, protocols such as WiFi or Bluetooth for wirelesscommunications can be used to wirelessly transmit training script filesto other devices.

[0034] By allowing a user to transfer created training script files fromthe master device 201 to another computer device 101, athletes mayeasily and conveniently share successful training routines with eachother. Rather than having to write down a particular training routine,an athlete can simply transfer the electronic training script file toanother athlete using, for example, electronic mail. The athletereceiving the electronic training script file can then forward the fileto his or her servant device 211, and exercise according to the routinedefined by the training script file without ever having to examine ormanually copy the workout routine defined by the training script.

[0035] Creating a Training Script

[0036]FIG. 3 illustrates a first user interface 301 provided by themaster user interface module 205 for creating a training script. Theinterface 301 includes a group of data fields that allow a user todefine a user profile. As will be discussed below, defining a userprofile allows a user to associate one or more workouts and a servantdevice 211 with a particular athlete. This conveniently allows more thanone person to share the use of the master device 201 without confusingtraining script files between the users.

[0037] The interface 301 includes a name field 303 naming the profile.Thus, a user may enter his or her own name into the name field 303 toidentify the user profile with that particular user. Each user profileincludes a schedule of training scripts selected by the user. Eachprofile also contains a group of training script files, referred to asthe “favorite workouts” group. A user may then add existing trainingscript files to or delete training script files from this group offavorite training scripts. The favorite workouts group allows a user toavoid having to scroll through every training script created with orreceived by the master device 201 each time the user wants to use aparticular script. Instead, the user can simply include his or herfavorite training script in the “favorite workout” group for the user'sprofile, and select a desired script for use directly from this smallergroup. As will be explained in detail below, when a user “synchronizes”the servant device 211 to the master device 201, both the trainingscripts in the “favorite workout” group and the scheduled trainingscripts are copied to the servant device 211.

[0038] In addition to the name field 303, the interface 301 also has aservant device identification field 305, which associates the userprofile with a particular servant device 211. As noted above, a computerdevice 101 used to embody a servant device 211 may have one or moresensors 113 d for measuring the characteristics of a user's activities.A training script may thus include instructions that are executed inresponse to the servant device 211 receiving data from a particular typeof sensor 113 d. Different servant devices 211 may have different typesof sensors 113 d, however, so a workout that may execute on one servantdevice 211 may not properly execute on a different servant device 211.The value of the servant device identification field 305 can be used toaddress differences in servant devices by specifically identifying theuser's servant device 211, and, by extension, the sensors 113 d andother equipment included with the user's servant device 211.

[0039] For example, the master device 201 may include a tablecorrelating servant device 211 identification values with one or moresensors 113 d. Thus, when the user enters a value into the servantdevice identification field 305, the master device 201 can determine thesensors 113 d employed by the user's servant device 211 from the table.Alternately, the master device 201 may use the value entered into theservant device identification field 305 to determine the sensors 113 davailable for use by the servant device 211 from a remote source, suchas a database available over a network (e.g., the Internet). If theuser's servant device 211 does not have a particular sensor 113 drequired by a training script, then the master device 201 may refrainfrom copying that training script to the user's servant device 211during synchronization.

[0040] The interface 301 also includes age, weight and sex fields307-311, respectively. The user may enter this information about himselfor herself into these fields. Of course, with other embodiments of theinvention, the interface 301 may include fields for additional userhealth information, or may omit any of fields 307-311 entirely.

[0041] After the user has created a user profile by entering therelevant values into the interface 301, the master user interface module207 displays interface 401 shown in FIG. 4A. This interface, which isthe main user interface for creating and using training scripts,includes a user profile sub-interface 403, a set watch sub-interface405, a plans sub-interface 407, a workout sub-interface 409, a favoriteworkouts sub-interface 411, and a calendar sub-interface 413. The userprofile sub interface 403 includes a name field 403 a, identifying thename of the currently selected user profile, and an edit button 403 b,which, when activated, causes the master user interface module 207 todisplay the user interface 301. The set watch sub-interface 405 is acommand button. As will be discussed in detail below, activating thecommand button 405 causes the master user interface module 207 todisplay a user interface for adjusting the settings of the associatedservant device 211, which, in this embodiment, is a watch. The favoriteworkouts sub-interface 411 provides a listing of the training scriptsthe user has included in the favorite workouts group of the profile.

[0042] The workout sub-interface 409 includes a list 409 a of previouslycreated (or received) training scripts corresponding to individualworkout routines. The workout sub-interface 409 also includes a workoutbuilder command button 409 b that allows a user to create a new trainingscript. When a user activates the workout builder command button 409 b,the master user interface module 207 provides the user with interface501 shown in FIG. 5A. The operation of this interface will be explainedwith reference to FIGS. 5A-5P and to FIG. 6, which illustrates aflowchart showing how a training script can be created using theinterface 501.

[0043] First, in step 601, the user enters the name of the trainingscript into the workout selection field 503 of the interface 501. Aswill be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the workoutselection field 503 provides a drop-down menu 503 a, listing thepreviously created workout training scripts associated with the currentuser profile, as shown in FIG. 5B. Thus, if the user is going to edit atraining script that already exists, the user simply selects the name ofthat training script from the dropdown menu 503 a. If the user insteadwishes to create a new workout training script, he or she selects thename “New Workout” from the drop down menu 503 a. This selection ensuresthat the remaining fields in the display 501 are empty for the user toenter values, as shown in FIG. 5A.

[0044] The interface 501 also includes a workout name field 505 and adescription field 507. The workout name field 505 allows a user tocreate a name for the new workout training script, as shown in FIG. 5C.Providing a name for a workout training script conveniently allows it tobe easily referenced later. As also seen in FIG. 5C, the descriptionfield 507 can contain a brief description of the workout trainingscript, such as an identification of its purpose or difficulty.

[0045] The interface 501 further includes a steps interface 509(referred to by the title “STEPS” in the figure). The steps interface509 includes a plurality of step sub-interfaces 511. Each stepsub-interface 511 appears as a row of six fields 513-523. Moreparticularly, as seen in FIG. 5A, each step sub-interface 511 includes arepeat field 513, an activity field 515, a duration field 517, anintensity field 519, a prompt field 521, and an auto start field 523.The function and operation of each of these fields 513-523 will bedescribed in detail below. The steps interface 509 also includes editbuttons 525-531 for editing the arrangement of the step sub-interfaces511. The function and use of these edit buttons 525-531 are well knownin the art, and thus will not be discussed in detail here.

[0046] Turning first to the field 515, this field provides a drop-downmenu 515 a listing a variety of actions. For example, as seen in FIG.5D, the drop-down menu 515 a may include the actions “open” (that is, nospecified activity), “stretch,” “warm up,” “run,” “walk,” “jog,” “go,”and “recover.” Of course, it will be appreciated that other embodimentsof the invention may list more, less or different activities. Using thedrop-down menu 515 a, in step 603 the user selects a particular activityto be displayed in the field 515. It should also be noted, however, thatwhile the illustrated embodiment of the invention employs the drop-downmenu 515 a to select a value for the field 515, other embodiments of theinvention may allow a user to enter a value directly into the field 515.

[0047] When the user selects the value of the field 515, this value isthen added to the prompt field 521. The prompt field 521 for a stepsub-interface 511 contains the information that will be displayed to auser when instructions corresponding to that step are later executed bya servant device 211. Thus, if the user selects the activity “run” forthe field activity field 515, the word “run” is added to the promptfield 521, as seen in FIG. 5E. Of course, the display of the selectedactivity (or duration or intensity, as will be discussed below) in theprompt field 521 may be omitted with various embodiments of theinvention. Further, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill inthe art, some embodiments of the invention may omit the prompt fields521 altogether.

[0048] The duration field 517 in a step sub-interface 511 allows theuser to select a duration for performing the activity designated in thestep. Thus, the duration field 517 provides a drop down menu 517 alisting a variety of duration units, as shown in FIG. 5F. The menu 517 amay include, for example, “open” (indicating that no duration has beenselected) “time,” and “distance.” Of course, other embodiments of theinvention may provide still other units for determining a duration of anactivity. Using this menu 517 a (or, with some embodiments of theinvention, entering a value directly into the duration field 517), theuser selects a duration of the activity in step 607.

[0049] Depending upon the duration type selected for the duration field517, the interface 501 may provide a sub-field corresponding to theselected duration type. For example, if the user selects the value“time” for the duration field 517, the interface 501 provides a timesub-interface 517 b as shown in FIG. 5G. The time sub-interface 517 bincludes a chronographic display defining the time period for which theactivity defined for the step is to be performed. Using conventionalarrow buttons, the user can adjust the value of the sub-interface 517 bto define a desired time period.

[0050] Similarly, if the user selects the value “distance” for theduration field 517, the interface 501 provides sub-interfaces 517 c withfields 517 d and 517 e, as shown in FIG. 5H. The field 517 d contains avalue for a distance to be traveled while performing the activity. Theuser can type a desired value into this field 517 d. The field 517 ethen provides a drop down menu, accessed by activating the button 517 f,listing different distance units. For example, with the illustratedembodiment, the list includes “miles,” “kilometers,” and “meters.” Ofcourse, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that stillother distance units, such as “yards” and “feet,” may be alternately oradditionally included in the list.

[0051] Thus, a user selects a particular type of duration, and entersvalues into the sub-interface fields associated with that type ofduration in step 605. The values entered by the user then also appear inthe prompt field 521. For example, if the user selects a duration valueof “6.00 miles” for the duration field 517, this value also appears inthe prompt field 521 as shown in FIG. 5I. It should be noted, however,that a user might choose not to select any values for a duration of thedesignated activity, and instead leave the value of the field 517 as“open.” In this situation, no information is added to the prompt field521, as shown in FIG. 5E.

[0052] Next, in step 607, the user may select an intensity for theworkout by entering a value into the intensity field 519. As seen inFIG. 5J, the intensity field 519 provides a drop down menu 519 a listingdifferent types of intensity measurements. For example, with theillustrated embodiment, the intensity field 519 provides a drop downlist 519 a including the intensity types “open” (when no value isselected), “heartrate,” “pace”, “heartrate less than or equal to,” and“heartrate greater than or equal to.” Of course, those of ordinary skillin the art will appreciate that other units of intensity may alternatelyor additionally be displayed. As with the duration field 517, when anyof the units are selected from the drop down list 519 a, the interface501 provides a sub-interface associated with that type of intensitymeasurement.

[0053] For example, if a user selects the intensity type “heartrate,”the interface 501 provides the sub-interface 519 b containing the fields519 c and 519 d for defining a range of heartrates (measured based upona percentage of a user's previously recorded maximum heartrate, forexample), as shown in FIG. 5K. Thus, a user types a minimum desiredheartrate percentage value into the field 519 c and a maximum desiredheartrate percentage value into the field 519 d. The values entered intothese fields are then displayed in the prompt field 521. For example, ifthe user enters the value 60% into the field 519 c, and the value 85% inthe field 519 d, these values appear in the prompt field 521, as shownin FIG. 5K.

[0054] Similarly, if a user selects the intensity type “pace,” theinterface 501 provides the sub-interface 519 e, as shown in FIG. 5L. Thesub-interface 519 e includes a maximum time field 519 f and a minimumtime field 519 g, in which the user enters values to select a maximumpace time and a minimum pace time, respectively. The sub-interface 519 ealso includes a distance unit field 519 h, which provides a drop downmenu listing various distance units. With the illustrated embodiment,the menu lists “kilometers,” “miles,” and “0.4/kilometers.” Of course,those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the menu mayinclude more, fewer, or different units. By selecting a maximum pacetime, a minimum pace time, and a distance unit, the user can define amaximum and minimum pace for performing the selected activity. It shouldbe noted that, as the values are entered into each of the fields 519f-519 h, a mean of maximum pace time and the minimum pace time are addedto the prompt field 521. Thus, if the user selects a maximum pace of6:00 minutes per mile, and a minimum pace of 8:00 minutes per mile, theaverage of 7:00 minutes per mile will appear in the prompt field 521, asshown in FIG. 5L.

[0055] If the user selects the “heartrate less than or equal to”intensity type, the interface 501 provides the sub-interface 519 icontaining the field 519 j, as shown in FIG. 5M. The user can simplyenter a desired maximum heartrate (measured based upon a percentage of auser's maximum heartrate) into the field 519 j. Likewise, if the userselects the “heartrate greater than or equal to” intensity type, theinterface 501 provides the sub-interface 519 k containing the field 519l, as shown in FIG. 5N. Again, the user can simply enter a desiredminimum heartrate (measured based upon a percentage of a user's maximumheartrate, for example) into the field 519 k. With both sub-interfaces519 i and 519 k, the selected heartrate value is then displayed in theprompt field 521.

[0056] In this manner, a user will employ fields 515-519 of a stepsub-interface 511 to define one step of a training script. By enteringvalues into the fields of multiple step sub-interfaces 511, a user maycreate a training script with a plurality of steps sequentially arrangedin the order displayed in the step listing 509. When the training scriptfile is then created from the training script, it will containinstructions commanding the servant device 211 to sequentially displaythe value of the prompt field 521 (that is, the prompt) for each step,starting with the first step in the sequence, until the servant device211 is instructed to display the value of the prompt field 521 for thenext step.

[0057] The servant device 211 may receive an instruction to display theprompt for the next step of the training script file directly from theuser. For example, if the servant device 211 is implemented as a digitalwatch, it may display the prompt for a step until the athlete using theservant device 211 depresses a command button, and then start the nextsequential step in the training script file by displaying the prompt forthat next sequential step. Thus, a user would perform the activitydisplayed in the prompt for a step for the duration and/or intensityspecified in the prompt. Then, when the activity was completed, the userwould depress the command button to start the next step. That is, theuser would depress the command button to instruct the servant device 211to display the prompt for the next step in sequence. Alternately, when astep is completed, the servant device 211 may receive an instruction toautomatically start the next sequential step from within theinstructions for the completed step, as will be explained below.

[0058] When creating or editing a training script, the user determineswhether a step will have this automatic start feature by placing a checkvalue in the auto start field 523 for that step's sub-interface 511 instep 609. More particularly, if the user leaves the auto start field 523for a step empty in step 609, then the training script will not includean instruction in that step for the servant device 211 to automaticallybegin executing the instructions for the subsequent step. Instead, whenthat step is completed, the servant device 211 will temporarily stopexecuting instructions of the training script until receiving an inputfrom the athlete using the servant device 211. On the other hand, if theuser inserts a check into the field 523 of a step's sub-interface 211 instep 609, the resulting training script file will include instructionsto automatically have the servant device 211 begin executing theinstructions for the subsequent step when that step is completed.

[0059] As will be discussed in detail below, the servant device 211 mayhave one or more sensors 113 d for measuring characteristics of theuser's workout or performance data. These characteristics may include,for example, a time duration measured by a chronometer, a heart ratemeasured by a heart rate monitor, and a distance measured by anaccelerometer or pedometer. These sensors 113 d allow the servant device211 to detect when a user has completed a specified duration orintensity for a step. For example, if the user selects the duration of astep to be six minutes, then a servant device 211 having a chronometermay begin measuring a period of six minutes from when the step isstarted (that is, from when the value of the field 521 for that step isdisplayed to the user). If the value of the field 523 for that step waschecked when the training script was created, then the training scriptfile will include instructions commanding the servant device 211 toautomatically begin executing the instructions for the subsequent stepwhen the chronometer indicates that the six minute time period hasexpired.

[0060] Similarly, a step may call for a user to run a distance of sixmiles at a heart rate of 60% of the user's maximum heart rate orgreater. If a servant device 211 executing that step had both apedometer and a heart rate monitor, it could employ the pedometer tomeasure the distance run by a user and the heart rate monitor to measurethe user's heart rate during that run. The servant device 211 could thenrecord a total distance traveled by the athlete while the athlete'sheart rate was above the minimum amount. If the user had placed a checkin the auto start field 523 when defining the step, then theinstructions in the training script file would command the servantdevice 211 to automatically begin executing the instructions for thenext subsequent step after the servant device 211 detected that theathlete had run a total of six miles with his or her heart rate abovethe minimum amount.

[0061] Thus, by using creating a training script with steps thatautomatically start a subsequent step when the defined performance datais measured, the invention advantageously frees an athlete from havingto constantly consider the status of his or her workout routine. Thatis, an athlete can focus on each activity of a workout, without havingto continuously monitor if the athlete is complying with the plannedduration or intensity for the activity. The servant device 211 informsthe user when an activity has been satisfactorily performed by promptingthe athlete to begin performing the next scheduled activity in theworkout.

[0062] In addition to the auto start field 523, each step sub-interface511 also includes a repeat field 511, as noted above. In step 611, auser may employ the repeat field 511 to define a training script thatrepeats one or more steps. For example, if the user inputs the value “3”into the repeat field 511 for a step, as shown in FIG. 50, then thetraining script file will include instructions commanding the servantdevice 211 to repeat the step three times before executing the nextsequential step. In addition, the user may use a linking arrow 511 aattached to the repeat field 511 to link two or more sequential stepstogether for repetition, as shown in FIG. 5P. Thus, the resultingtraining script would include instructions commanding the servant device211 to execute the instructions of the first three steps listed in thestep listing 509 once in sequence, and then to repeat the execution ofthese linked steps a second time before proceeding to the fourth step inthe step listing 509 (that is, the “jog” step).

[0063] After the user has created a training script file by saving thesteps making up a desired training script in step 613, the user mayreturn to the interface 401 shown in FIG. 4A. Advantageously, inaddition to allowing a user to create a new training script file ormodify an existing training script file, the master device 201 will alsoallow a user to define a schedule of training scripts, hereafterreferred to as a “plan.” The creation of a plan will be discussed withreference to FIGS. 7A-7C and FIG. 8, which illustrate an interface 701for creating a plan and a flow chart for using the interface 701 tocreate a plan, respectively.

[0064] As previously noted, the plan field 405 of interface 401 displaysexisting plans. If the user wishes to create a new plan, the useractivates the plan builder command button 407 a. In response, the masterdevice 201 provides the user interface 701 illustrated in FIG. 7A. Thisuser interface 701 includes a plan selection field 703, a plan namefield 705, and a plan description field 707. In step 801, the userenters the name of the desired plan into the plan selection field 703.Conveniently, the plan selection field 703 may include a drop-down menu703 a, as shown in FIG. 7B. If the user is editing an existing plan, theuser may simply select the name of that plan from the drop-down menu 703a. If, however, the user wishes to create a new plan, the user selectsthe name “New Plan” from the drop-down menu 703 a. The user may thenenter a name into the planned name field 705 and a brief description ofthe new plan in field 707, as also shown in FIG. 7B.

[0065] The interface 701 also includes a settings sub-interface 709, aworkout sub-interface 711, and a calendar sub-interface 713. Thecalendar sub-interface displays a generic calendar with columnscorresponding to the days of the week, while the workout sub-interface711 displays a listing of existing training script files. In order tocreate or modify a plan, in step 803 a user drags each training scriptfile from the workout sub-interface 711 to the desired location on thecalendar sub-interface 713.

[0066] For example, in FIG. 7A, the workout sub-interface 711 lists thetraining script files entitled “stretch test,” “Test 1,” and “Testworkout.” The user may want to create a three-week workout plan havingthe “stretch test” workout scheduled on the Monday, Wednesday, andFriday of the first week of the plan. The user may also want the “Test1” workout scheduled on the Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday of the secondweek of the plan, and the “Test workout” workout scheduled on the Mondayand Thursday of the third week of the plan. To create this plan, theuser can simply drag and drop icons for the corresponding trainingscript files to the desired locations on the calendar sub-interface 713,as shown in FIG. 7C.

[0067] The module of dragging and dropping file icons is well known, andthus will not be discussed here in detail. Of course, those of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that alternate techniques may be usedto schedule training script files. Also, as seen in FIG. 7C, thecalendar sub-interface 713 may not continuously display the titles ofthe placed training script file icons, but may instead only displaytheir titles when, for example, the user places a pointer over an icon.Alternately, the calendar sub-interface 713 may display the title ofeach icon placed in the calendar sub-interface 713.

[0068] Once the user has placed the desired training script files at theappropriate locations in the calendar sub-interface 713, the userdesignates the settings for scheduling the training script files tocreate or edit the plan in step 805. As previously noted, the interface701 includes a settings sub-interface 709. The settings sub-interface709 includes two fill radial buttons 715 and 717, entitled “forward” and“backward,” respectively. It also includes three anchor date radialbuttons 719-723. Beneath the first anchor date radial button 719,entitled “fixed,” is a calendar field 719 a that allows a user to selecta specific month, date and year. The second anchor date radial button721 is entitled “user choice.” The third anchor date radial button 723includes a drop-down menu 723 a listing the days of the week.

[0069] In order to establish a workout plan, the user anchors the firstdate or the last date of the training script files scheduled in thegeneric calendar of the calendar sub-interface to an actual date. Forexample, the user may with to schedule training script files to preparefor a marathon on Nov. 13, 2002. Accordingly, the user may want toanchor the plan so that the last workout of the plan takes place on Nov.12, 2002. To do so, the user would select the anchor date radial button719, and set the value of the calendar field 719 a to Nov. 12, 2002. Theuser would then select the “backward” fill radial button 717, to havethe plan scheduled backward from the last workout of the plan occurringon Nov. 12, 2002.

[0070] Alternately, the user may want to schedule a three-week plan thatstarts on the first Tuesday of each three-week period. In this case, theuser would select the anchor date radial button 723, and select the dayTuesday from the drop down menu 723 a. The user would also select the“forward” fill radial button 715, to have the plan scheduled forwardfrom the first workout of the plan occurring on the first Tuesday ofeach three-week period.

[0071] Accordingly, in step 803, the user selects a fill setting for theplan, and in step 805 selects an anchor date for the plan. Then in step807, the user activates the “save” button 725 to save the plan,completing the plan creation process.

[0072] Returning now to FIG. 4A, a user may select a schedule for plansor individual training script files to be included in the user'sprofile. As previously noted, the interface 401 includes a calendarsub-interface 413. The calendar sub-interface 413 displays a calendarshowing the current month. To include a plan in the user's profile, theuser first drags and drops a plan onto a date in the calendarsub-interface 413, as shown in FIG. 4B. In response, the master device201 displays the schedule plan interface 901 shown in FIG. 9.

[0073] As seen in this figure, the plan interface 901 includes a plandata sub-interface 903, a fill setting sub-interface 905, a “cancel”button 907 and an “ok” button 909. The plan data sub-interface 903includes the plan name, the length of the plan schedule, and thedescription of the plan. The fill setting sub-interface 905 includes twofill dial buttons 905 a and 905 b, entitled “forward” and “backward,”respectively. The fill setting sub-interface 905 also includes an anchordate field 905 c, which allows the user to specify a specific calendardate, and a drop down menu 905 d listing the days of the week. As withthe settings sub-interface 709 in the interface 701, the user may employthe fill setting sub-interface 905 to anchor the plan. When the user issatisfied that the plan schedule is correct, the user activates the “ok”button 909. In response, the master device 201 may place icons for thetraining script files making up the plan on their appropriate dates inthe calendar sub-interface 413.

[0074] As previously noted, in addition to placing a plan schedule inthe user profile, a user may also place a schedule for individualtraining scripts into the his or her user profile. That is, a user maydrag and drop an icon for a single training script file from the workoutsub-interface 409 at a desired location on the calendar sub-interface413.

[0075] Synchronizing the Master Device with the Servant Device

[0076] When a user wishes to download training script files from themaster device 201 to the servant device 211, referred to as“synchronizing” the master device 201 with the servant device 211, theuser activates the “sync” button 415 in interface 401. In response, themaster device 201 transfers all of the training script files listed inthe favorite workouts sub-interface 411. In addition, the master device201 transfers the upcoming scheduled training script files that havebeen place in the calendar sub-interface 413.

[0077] More particularly, the master device 201 notes the date of thesynchronization, and identifies the subsequent dates for, for example,the upcoming week. The master device 201 then attaches a date tag toeach of the training script files that have been placed in the calendarsub-interface 413 on the dates in the week following the synchronizationdate, and transfers these training script files with their associateddate tags to the servant device 211. As will be discussed further below,the servant device 211 can then employ these date tags to ensure thatthe training script file is presented to a user for execution on thedate scheduled with the master device 201.

[0078] In addition to transferring training script files to the servantdevice 211, the master device 201 may also receive information from theservant device 211 during synchronization. For example, with someembodiments of the invention, the servant device 211 may collect actualdata regarding a user's workout, including the actual duration orintensity completed for activities listed in a training script file. Themaster device 201 can then associate this data with the icons for thosetraining scripts in the calendar sub-interface 413. This convenientlyallows a user to review his or her athletic performance in comparisonwith the criteria of the training script.

[0079] Device for Executing a Training Script

[0080] As previously noted, FIG. 1 also illustrates a servant device 211for executing a training script. The servant device 211 includes aservant control module 213, a servant device interface module 215, and aservant script database 217. The servant device interface module 215receives a training script file from the master device 201. The servantcontrol module 213 then stores the training script file in the servantscript database 217.

[0081] The servant device 211 also includes a display 219 and one ormore sensors 221 (identified as sensors 115 d in the above descriptionof a general computer device) for detecting a characteristic of a userduring a workout. The sensors 221 may include, for example, a heart ratemonitor to measure a user's heart rate, an accelerometer, pedometer orGlobal Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver to measure the distance thata user travels, or a blood pressure monitor to monitor a user's bloodpressure. The sensors 221 may also include sensors for detecting acharacteristic of the user's workout itself. For example, the sensors221 may include a chronometer or chronograph for measuring time periodsduring which an action is performed. The sensors 221 may also include abicycle force sensor, to measure an amount of force produced by abicyclist while biking. Still further, the sensor 221 may be a specialpurpose sensor that can, for example, detect the operation of aweightlifting machine or other exercise device configured to provideperformance data to the sensor. Of course, any suitable device formeasuring performance data relating to a workout may be used as a sensor221.

[0082] Still further, the servant device 211 may include a servant userinterface module 223 for detecting an input by a user. For example, theservant device 211 may have a servant user interface module 223 fordetecting the depression of an input button. This servant user interfacemodule 223 allows a user to input data to the servant device 211regarding the user's workout that may not easily be detectable by asensor 211. For example, a training step may call for an athlete toperform 30 repetitions of a weight lifting exercise. An automated sensorcannot easily detect the number of repetitions of a weight liftingexercise using a convention weight lifting device. The athlete, however,may conveniently depress a command button after having performed thescripted 30 repetitions. The servant user interface module 223 can thendetect the depression of the command button, and forward thisinformation to the servant control module 213.

[0083] When an athlete wants to exercise according to a training script,the user selects the training script file with that training script fromthe servant script database 217. In response, the servant control module213 executes the appropriate instructions defined in the trainingscript. More particularly, by executing the instructions in the trainingscript file, the servant control module 213 causes the display 219 todisplay the prompt for each step included in the training script file.As previously noted, the display 219 will sequentially display theprompt for each step in the training script until the servant controlmodule 213 receives an instruction commanding the display 219 to displaythe prompt for the next step. As was also previously explained, thisinstruction may be provided directly from the user by, for example, theuser depressing a command button. Alternately, this instruction may beautomatically generated when one of the sensors 221 measures a specifiedvalue, as discussed in detail above.

CONCLUSION

[0084] Thus, the master training script device of the inventionconveniently allows a user to create a training script defining one ormore steps of a workout routine, where each step may include anactivity, a duration for performing that activity, and an intensity atwhich the activity is to be performed. Further, one or more steps of thetraining script can be self starting in response to performance datadetected by sensors of the servant training script device. Thisconveniently frees the athlete from having to continuously monitor thestatus of his or her workout activities. Still further, the trainingscript device conveniently allows a user to transfer training scripts toother training script devices, so that athletes can share successfultraining scripts.

[0085] While the invention has been described with respect to specificexamples including presently preferred modes of carrying out theinvention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there arenumerous variations and permutations of the above described systems andtechniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A training device for receiving and employing anelectronic training script, comprising: a receiver for electronicallyreceiving an electronic training script; a sensor for detecting at leastone characteristic of a workout; a display unit for displaying activityinformation designated by the electronic training script in response toa detected status of the at least one characteristic detected by thesensor.
 2. The training device recited in claim 1, wherein the receiveris an infrared receiver.
 3. The training device recited in claim 1,wherein the receiver is an electronic mail account for receivingelectronic mail.
 4. The training device recited in claim 1, wherein thereceiver is a cable port.
 5. The training device recited in claim 1,wherein the receiver is a wireless radio receiver.
 6. The trainingdevice recited in claim 1, further including a transmitter forelectronically transmitting the electronic training script to anotherdevice.
 7. The training device recited in claim 6, wherein thetransmitter is an infrared transmitter.
 8. The training device recitedin claim 6, wherein the transmitter is an electronic mail account forsending electronic mail.
 9. The training device recited in claim 6,wherein the transmitter is a cable port.
 10. The training device recitedin claim 6, wherein the transmitter is a wireless radio transmitter. 11.The training device recited in claim 1, wherein the at least onecharacteristic is a time duration.
 12. The training device recited inclaim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic is a physicalcharacteristic of a user employing the training device.
 13. The trainingdevice recited in claim 12, wherein the at least one characteristic is aheart rate of the user.
 14. The training device recited in claim 12,wherein the at least one characteristic is a blood pressure of the user.15. The training device recited in claim 12, wherein the at least onecharacteristic is a blood-oxygen content of the user.
 16. The trainingdevice recited in claim 12, wherein the at least one characteristic is adistance traveled by the user.
 17. The training device recited in claim12, wherein the at least one characteristic is a speed traveled at bythe user.
 18. The training device recited in claim 1, wherein theactivity information is an instruction to run.
 19. The training devicerecited in claim 18, wherein the activity information is an instructionto run at a predetermined speed.
 20. The training device recited inclaim 18, wherein the activity information is an instruction to run apredetermined distance.
 21. The training device recited in claim 18,wherein the activity information is an instruction to run forpredetermined amount of time.
 22. The training device recited in claim1, wherein the activity information is an instruction to rest.
 23. Thetraining device recited in claim 22, wherein the activity information isan instruction to rest for a predetermined amount of time.
 24. Thetraining device recited in claim 1, wherein the activity information isan instruction to stretch.
 25. The training device recited in claim 24,wherein the activity information is an instruction to stretch for apredetermined amount of time.
 26. The training device recited in claim1, wherein the sensor is a second receiver for receiving informationfrom a remote sensing device.
 27. The training device recited in claim26, wherein the remote sensing device is a heart rate monitor.
 28. Thetraining device recited in claim 26, wherein the remote sensing deviceis an accelerometer.
 29. The training device recited in claim 1, whereinthe sensor is a pulse rate sensor for contacting a user of the trainingdevice to detect a pulse rate of the user.
 30. The training devicerecited in claim 1, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer for measuringa travel speed, a travel distance or both a travel speed and a traveldistance of a user of the training device.
 31. A method for receivingand employing an electronic training script, comprising: electronicallyreceiving an electronic training script; detecting at least onecharacteristic of a workout; and displaying activity informationdesignated by the electronic training script in response to detectingthe at least one characteristic.
 32. The method recited in claim 31,further including: detecting a second characteristic of the workout; anddisplaying second activity information designated by the electronictraining script in response to detecting the second characteristic. 33.The method recited in claim 31, wherein the electronic training scriptis received by an infrared transmission.
 34. The method recited in claim31, wherein the electronic training script is received via an electronicmail account.
 35. The method recited in claim 31, wherein the electronictraining script is received through a cable port.
 36. The method recitedin claim 31, wherein the electronic training script is received througha wireless radio transmission.
 37. The method recited in claim 31,further including electronically transmitting the electronic trainingscript to another device.
 38. The method recited in claim 37, furtherincluding electronically transmitting the electronic training script toanother device by infrared transmission.
 39. The method recited in claim37, further including electronically transmitting the electronictraining script to another device by electronic mail from an electronicmail account.
 40. The method recited in claim 37, further includingelectronically transmitting the electronic training script to anotherdevice a cable port.
 41. The method recited in claim 37, furtherincluding electronically transmitting the electronic training script toanother device by a wireless radio transmission.
 42. The method recitedin claim 31, wherein the at least one characteristic is a time duration.43. The method recited in claim 31, wherein the at least onecharacteristic is a physical characteristic of a user employing thetraining device.
 44. The method recited in claim 43, wherein the atleast one characteristic is a heart rate of the user.
 45. The methodrecited in claim 43, wherein the at least one characteristic is a bloodpressure of the user.
 46. The method recited in claim 43, wherein the atleast one characteristic is a blood-oxygen content of the user.
 47. Themethod recited in claim 43, wherein the at least one characteristic is adistance traveled by the user.
 48. The method recited in claim 43,wherein the at least one characteristic is a speed traveled at by theuser.
 49. The method recited in claim 31, wherein the activityinformation is an instruction to run.
 50. The method recited in claim49, wherein the activity information is an instruction to run at apredetermined speed.
 51. The method recited in claim 49, wherein theactivity information is an instruction to run a predetermined distance.52. The method recited in claim 49, wherein the activity information isan instruction to run for predetermined amount of time.
 53. The methodrecited in claim 31, wherein the activity information is an instructionto rest.
 54. The method recited in claim 53, wherein the activityinformation is an instruction to rest for a predetermined amount oftime.
 55. The method recited in claim 31, wherein the activityinformation is an instruction to stretch.
 56. The method recited inclaim 55, wherein the activity information is an instruction to stretchfor a predetermined amount of time.
 57. The method recited in claim 31,further including detecting the at least one characteristic by receivinginformation from a remote sensing device.
 58. The method recited inclaim 57, wherein the remote sensing device is a heart rate monitor. 59.The method recited in claim 57, wherein the remote sensing device is anaccelerometer.
 60. The method recited in claim 31, further includingdetecting the at least one characteristic by receiving information froma pulse rate sensor contacting a user of the training device.
 61. Themethod recited in claim 31, further including detecting the at least onecharacteristic by measuring a travel speed, a travel distance or both atravel speed and a travel distance of a user of the training device. 62.A device for designating a workout script, comprising: an activity unitfor designating a first activity to be performed by an athlete during afirst step of a workout and a second activity to be performed by theathlete during a second step of the workout; and an quantity unit fordesignating a quantity for performance of the first activity after whichthe athlete performs the second activity; and a transmitter fortransmitting a designated workout script to another device.
 63. Thedevice recited in claim 62, wherein the quantity defines an amount ofperformance of the first activity.
 64. The device recited in claim 63,wherein the quantity is a distance to be traveled by the athlete whileperforming the first activity.
 65. The device recited in claim 63,wherein the quantity is a number of times the first activity is to beperformed by the athlete.
 66. The device recited in claim 63, whereinthe quantity is a time duration for which the first activity is to beperformed by the athlete.
 65. The device recited in claim 62, whereinthe quantity defines an intensity of performance of the first activity.66. The device recited in claim 65, wherein the quantity defines a heartrate of the athlete while performing the first activity.
 67. The devicerecited in claim 65, wherein the quantity defines a force generated bythe athlete while performing the first activity.
 68. The device recitedin claim 65, wherein the quantity defines a pace at which the athleteperforms the first activity.
 69. The device recited in claim 62, whereinthe quantity defines both an intensity of performance of the firstactivity and an amount for which the athlete performs the first activityat the defined intensity of performance.
 70. The device recited in claim69, wherein the quantity defines a heart rate of the athlete whileperforming the first activity, and a time duration for which the firstactivity is to be performed by the athlete at the defined heart rate.71. The device recited in claim 62, wherein the transmitter is aninfrared transmitter.
 72. The training device recited in claim 62,wherein the transmitter is an electronic mail account for sendingelectronic mail.
 73. The training device recited in claim 62, whereinthe transmitter is a cable port.
 74. The training device recited inclaim 62, wherein the transmitter is a wireless radio transmitter.